Pro-Palestine protesters clash with police and chant ‘globalise the intifada’ as they blockade UK weapons factory

Police said a man had been detained at the rally, where reports of fireworks being thrown were made.

The targeted facility, Instro Precision, operates as a subsidiary of the Elbit Systems Group, one of Israel's largest weapons manufacturers.

Thanet 4 Palestine promoted the demonstration through its Facebook page, encouraging supporters to express their objection to Instro maintaining operations within the county.

The group claims the facility is complicit in contributing to Israeli military operations in Gaza.

Instro Precision has faced repeated protests in recent years, becoming a focal point for campaigners opposed to British companies with connections to Israeli defence industries.

Video footage from the protest showed three officers arresting a hooded man dressed all in black, wrestling him to the ground as he appeared uncooperative.

In another clip, a line of officers could be seen deflecting scuffles from dozens of protestors as they attempted to clear them out of the path of a police van.

Demonstrators banged rums and carried placards bearing messages including "hands off Gaza" and "sanction Israel now" during the melee.

Demonstrators also reportedly chanted "smash the Zionist settler State".

Kent Police confirmed they had taken one man into custody and, despite the ugly scene, no injuries were reported.

"Kent Police attended a protest at Discovery Park in Sandwich on Friday 23 January, where it is reported that fireworks were thrown shortly before 2.30pm," the force told GB News in a statement.

"A man was arrested and taken into custody.

"Officers remained at the scene until those protesting left the area. No further arrests were made and no injuries were reported."

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